Postage Stamps as witness of Nepal history
With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked Nepal was closed to the outside world until the 1950s. Since then the country has seen the creation of a multi-party parliamentary system, a decade-long Maoist insurgency, and the abolition of its monarchy.
Flanked by China and India, it is home to eight of the world’s highest mountains including Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha. As one of the world’s poorer countries, Nepal’s economy relies heavily on aid and tourism. A devastating earthquake in April 2015 killed thousands of people, flattened villages and reduced numerous heritage sites to ruin.
Some key dates in Nepal’s history:
- 1768 – Gurkha ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah conquers Kathmandu and lays foundations for unified kingdom.
- 1814-16 – Anglo-Nepalese War; culminates in treaty which establishes Nepal’s current boundaries.
- 1846 – Nepal falls under sway of hereditary chief ministers known as Ranas, who dominate the monarchy and cut country off from outside world.
- 1950 – Anti-Rana forces based in India form alliance with monarch.
- 1951 – End of Rana rule. Sovereignty of crown restored and anti-Rana rebels in Nepalese Congress Party form government.
- 1960 – King Mahendra seizes control and suspends parliament, constitution and party politics.
- 1991 – Nepali Congress Party wins first democratic elections.
- 1995-2006 – Maoist revolt and civil war which kills thousands.
- 2008 – Nepal becomes a republic after abolition of monarchy.
- 2015 New constitution adopted, the first in Asia to specifically protect gay rights.
